Multi-function ventilated insole

ABSTRACT

A multi-function ventilated insole is provided with an elastic airbag disposed within a heel and including upper and bottom layer sections; a check valve on the rear of the elastic airbag; two spaced channels each extending from the elastic airbag to a plantar arch portion, each channel including vent holes disposed from a front end to an intermediate portion, and a rear concealed tunnel extending to communicate with one outlet; a flexible main support in the top layer section; two spaced flexible auxiliary supports in the top layer section and contacting both sides of the main support; recesses on top of a front portion of the insole, each recess having a knob; a curve protrusion on the insole; a protuberance on the insole between the front ends of the channels; and a cavity on the insole between the protrusion and the protuberance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to shoes and more particularly to a multi-functioninsole capable of bringing about the effects of ventilation,anti-slippery, shock absorbing, steadying walk, and foot massaging whilewalking.

2. Description of Related Art

A conventional shoe includes an insole having front vent holes; and anoutsole including a heel having an open cavity, a first check valveextending from the cavity to the external, and a flexible protrusion onthe heel bottom; a cover fitted on the cavity and including grooves anda second check valve communicating with the grooves and the cavity;front projections on the insole top; and a channel on the arch top. Footstepping compresses the protrusion to close the first check valve andopen the second check valve such that air within the cavity is expelledto a insole of the foot via the second check valve, the grooves, thechannel, and the vent holes. Foot lifting returns the protrusion to itsoriginal shape with the first check valve open and the second checkvalve closed, thereby drawing air into the cavity.

Notwithstanding the conventional shoe, the invention is neither taughtnor rendered obvious thereby.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is principal object of the invention to provide a multi-functionventilated insole capable of ventilating the air inside of shoe whenwalking.

It is another object of the invention to provide a multi-functionventilated insole capable of preventing slipping when walking.

It is further object of the invention to provide a multi-functionventilated insole capable of absorbing shock when walking.

It is further object of the invention to provide a multi-functionventilated insole capable of steadying walk when walking.

It is still further object of the invention to provide a multi-functionventilated insole capable of massaging the foot when walking.

A primary feature of the multi-function ventilated insole according tothe present invention is to provide a multi-function ventilated insolecomprising an elastic airbag disposed on the heel and including an toplayer section a bottom layer section and an air chamber forming betweenthe top layer section and the bottom layer section and an air chamberforming between the top layer section and the bottom layer section; acheck valve disposed on the rear of the elastic airbag and communicatingwith the air chamber; two outlets formed on the front of the elasticairbag and communicating with the air chamber; two spaced channels eachextending from the elastic airbag to a plantar arch portion, each of thechannels including a plurality of vent holes disposed from a front endto an intermediate portion, and a rear concealed tunnel extending tocommunicate with one of the outlet; a flexible main support disposed inthe air chamber and connected to both the top layer section and thebottom layer section; two spaced flexible auxiliary supports disposed inthe air chamber and connected to both the top layer section and thebottom layer section and forming on one side of the flexible mainsupport respectively; a plurality of recesses disposed on top of a frontportion of the insole; a curve protrusion disposed on the insoleproximate to the recesses; a protuberance disposed on the insole betweenthe front ends of the channels; and a cavity disposed on the solebetween the protrusion and the protuberance; wherein in response to awearer's foot stepping on the insole, the main support, the auxiliarysupports, and the elastic airbag are compressed, pressure of air in theair chamber increases to close the check valve, and draw the air fromthe air chamber to the vent holes via the outlet, the tunnels, and thechannels, thereby expelling the air; and wherein in response to thewearer's foot lifting the insole, the main support, the auxiliarysupports, and the air chamber return to its original shape, drawatmospheric air into the air chamber via the check valve, and draw airabove the insole into the air chamber via the vent holes, the channels,the tunnels, and the outlet.

Preferably, the top layer section of the heel and the bottom layersection of the heel are formed integrally of a flexible material buthaving a different hardness as a dual density unit.

Preferably, the top layer section has a hardness of 30-35 to providecomfort to the feet, and the bottom layer section has a hardness of50-55 to provide steadying walk.

Preferably, further comprises an integral inlet formed on the rear ofthe elastic airbag and communicating with the check valve.

Preferably, each of the outlets are connected to one of the channelsextending toward a toe of the shoe.

Preferably, each of the channels includes a rear concealed tunnelcommunicating with one of the outlet.

Preferably, each of the channels further includes a plurality of ventholes disposed forward of the tunnel.

Preferably, further comprising a plurality of recesses formed on top ofa front portion of the sole corresponding to the toes of the foot of awearer, and a cavity formed on the top of the sole corresponding to theplantar arch of the foot of the wearer.

Preferably, each of the recesses has a knob on a central portion of itstop, and a protrusion formed on the top of the sole between proximate tothe recesses and the cavity.

Preferably, further comprising a plantar arch on each of both sides ofthe insole, and a protuberance formed on the top of insole between theplantar arches.

Preferably, the bottom layer section of the heel is formed as an outerof the insole.

The invention further has the following advantages:

-   -   Shock absorbing to the feet is obtained due to the provision of        the main support and the auxiliary supports by flexibly        returning to its original shape after lifting the foot.    -   Check valve is provided on the heel so that fresh air can be        drawn into the shoe and foul air can be expelled via outlet in        the heel. As a result, ventilation is achieved.

In response to a wearer's foot stepping on the sole, the main support,the auxiliary supports, and the elastic airbag are compressed, pressureof air in the air chamber increases to close the check valve, and drawthe air from the air chamber to the vent holes via the outlet, thetunnels, and the channels, thereby expelling the air. In response to thewearer's foot lifting the insole, the main support, the auxiliarysupports, and the air chamber return to its original shape, drawatmospheric air into the air chamber via the check valve, and draw airabove the insole into the air chamber via the vent holes, the channels,the tunnels, and the outlet. As a result, foot hygiene can be obtainedby sufficiently ventilating the air inside of shoe.

The at least one recessed and raised portions from a front end to anintermediate portion of the sole can increase traction and comfort whilewalking in addition to the wearer's foot massaging.

The bottom layer section can be formed as a part of outsole. It isenvisaged by the invention that ventilation, anti-slippery, shockabsorbing, foot massaging, and steadying walk are brought about to thefeet while walking.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the inventionwill become apparent from the following detailed description taken withthe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multi-function insole according to theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the insole;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the insole;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the insole.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a multi-function ventilated insole 1 inaccordance with the invention comprises the following components asdiscussed in detail below.

An elastic airbag 2 is disposed on the heel of the insole 1 and the saidelastic airbag 2 includes a top layer section 23, a bottom layer section24 and an air chamber 3 forming between the top layer section 23 and thebottom layer section 24. A check valve 20 and an integral inlet 10 aredisposed on the rear of the elastic airbag 2 and both are communicatedeach other with the air chamber 3. Two outlets 21 is formed on the frontof the elastic airbag 2 and communicated with the air chamber 3. Thesaid top layer section 23, a bottom layer section 24, air chamber 3,check valve 20, inlet 10, and two outlets 21 are integrally formed withthe elastic airbag 2. The air chamber 3 is formed of a flexible materialthe same as that of the top layer section 23 but having a differenthardness. For example, the top layer section 23 has a hardness of 30-35,and the bottom layer section 24 has a hardness of 50-55 are formed as adual density unit.

Two spaced channels 11 each extend from the elastic airbag 2 to aplantar arch portion 4 of the insole 1. The channel 11 includes aplurality of vent holes 12 disposed from a front end to an intermediateportion, and a rear concealed tunnel 110 extending to communicate withone of two outlets 21 to the air chamber 3 and the check valve 20.

An oval, flexible main support 22 is disposed in the air chamber 3 andconnected to the top layer section 23 and bottom layer section 24. Twospaced flexible auxiliary supports 25 are disposed in the air chamber 3and connected to the top layer section 23 and the bottom layer section24 and formed on one side of the flexible main support 22 respectively.The main support 22 and the auxiliary supports 25 are integrally formed.The main support 22 and the auxiliary supports 25 are formed of aflexible material which has hardness less than that of the bottom layersection 24.

The ventilation effect of the invention will be described in detailbelow. The elastic airbag 2 is compressed when a wearer's foot wearingthe shoe puts the most pressure down on the insole 1 in a steppingaction of walking. And in turn, the main support 22 and the auxiliarysupports 25 are flexibly compressed and the space of the air chamber 3is reduced. The pressurized air within the air chamber 3 forces thecheck valve 20 to close. Also, this forms a mechanism that expels airfrom within the air chamber 3 to the vent holes 12 via the outlet 21,the tunnels 110, and the channels 11. As a result, foul air is expelledout of the insole 1 via the vent holes 12.

The elastic airbag 2 is expanded to return to its original shape whenthe person lifts his or her feet in a lifting action of walking. And inturn, both the main support 22 and the auxiliary supports 25 return toits original shape. The air pressure within the air chamber 3 decreasessharply. This means that the air pressure within the air chamber 3 isless than the atmospheric pressure. Further, this forms a mechanism thatdraws atmospheric air into the air chamber 3 via the inlet 10 of theopen check valve 20. At about the same time, air inside of insole 1trapped is drawn into the air chamber 3 via the vent holes 12, thechannels 11, the tunnels 110, and the outlet 21. As a result, the airchamber 3 returns to its original state.

Weight of the wearer can be sufficiently supported by both the mainsupport 22 and the auxiliary supports 25 return to its original shape.Thus, a ventilation effect to the insole 1 is carried out by repeatingthe stepping and lifting actions of the foot in walking. As a result,breathability of the shoe greatly increases and unpleasant odors nolonger exist.

A plurality of recesses 13 are formed on top of a front portion of theinsole 1 corresponding to the toes of the foot of a wearer. Each recess13 has a knob 14 on a central portion of its top. A curve protrusion 15is formed on the top of the insole 1 proximate to the recesses 13. Aheart shaped protuberance 17 is formed on the top of insole 1 betweenthe front ends of the channels 11. A cavity 16 is formed on the top ofthe insole 1 between the protrusion 15 and the protuberance 17. Thus, awearer can feel a degree of comfort on the feet when wearing shoesincorporating the insole of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 5 specifically, the bottom layer section 24 is formedas a part of outsole 5. It is envisaged by the invention thatventilation, shock absorbing, foot massaging, anti-slippery, andsteadying walk are brought about to the feet while walking.

The invention further has the following advantages:

-   -   1. Shock absorbing to the feet is obtained due to the provision        of the main support and the auxiliary supports by flexibly        returning to its original shape after lifting the foot.    -   2. Check valve is provided on the heel so that fresh air can be        drawn into the shoe and foul air can be expelled via outlet in        the heel. As a result, ventilation is achieved.    -   3. In response to a wearer's foot stepping on the insole, the        main support, the auxiliary supports, and the elastic airbag are        compressed, pressure of air in the elastic airbag increases to        close the check valve, and draw the air from the elastic airbag        to the vent holes via the outlet, the tunnels, and the channels,        thereby expelling the air. In response to the wearer's foot        lifting the sole, the main support, the auxiliary supports, and        the elastic airbag return to its original shape, draw        atmospheric air into the elastic airbag via the check valve, and        draw air above the insole into the elastic airbag via the vent        holes, the channels, the tunnels, and the outlet. As a result,        foot hygiene can be obtained by sufficiently ventilating the air        inside of shoe.    -   4. The at least one recessed and raised portions from a front        end to an intermediate portion of the insole can increase        traction and comfort while walking in addition to the wearer's        foot massaging.    -   5. The bottom layer section can be formed as a part of outsole.        It is envisaged by the invention that ventilation that        ventilation, shock absorbing, foot massaging, anti-slippery, and        steadying walk are brought about to the feet while walking.

While the invention has been described in terms of preferredembodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the inventioncan be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A multi-function ventilated insole comprising: anelastic airbag disposed on the heel of the insole and including an toplayer section, a bottom layer section and an air chamber forming betweenthe top layer section and the bottom layer section; a check valvedisposed on the rear of the elastic airbag and communicating with theair chamber; two outlets formed on the front of the elastic airbag andcommunicating with the air chamber; two spaced channels each extendingfrom the elastic airbag to a plantar arch portion; a flexible mainsupport disposed in the air chamber and connected to both the top layersection and the bottom layer section; two spaced flexible auxiliarysupports disposed in the air chamber and connected to both the top layersection and the bottom layer section and forming on one side of theflexible main support respectively; a plurality of recesses disposed ontop of a front portion of the insole; wherein in response to a wearer'sfoot stepping on the insole, the main support, the auxiliary supports,and the elastic airbag are compressed, pressure of air in the airchamber increases to close the check valve, and draw the air from theair chamber to the vent holes via the outlet and the channels, therebyexpelling the air; and wherein in response to the wearer's foot liftingthe insole, the main support, the auxiliary supports, and the airchamber return to its original shape, draw atmospheric air into the airchamber via the check valve, and draw air above the insole into the airchamber via the vent holes, the channels and the outlet.
 2. Themulti-function ventilated insole of claim 1, wherein the top layersection of the heel and the bottom layer section of the heel are formedintegrally of a flexible material but having a different hardness. 3.The multi-function ventilated insole of claim 2, wherein the top layersection has a hardness of 30-35, and the bottom layer section has ahardness of 50-55, both are formed as a dual density unit.
 4. Themulti-function ventilated insole of claim 2, further comprising anintegral inlet formed on the rear of the elastic airbag andcommunicating with the check valve.
 5. The multi-function ventilatedinsole of claim 1, wherein each of the outlet are connected to one ofthe channels extending toward a toe of the shoe.
 6. The multi-functionventilated insole of claim 5, wherein each of the channels includes arear concealed tunnel extending to communicate with one of the outlet,and a plurality of vent holes disposed from a front end to anintermediate portion.
 7. The multi-function ventilated insole of claim1, further comprising a plurality of recesses formed on top of a frontportion of the insole corresponding to the toes of the foot of a wearer,and a cavity formed on the top of the insole corresponding to theplantar arch of the foot of the wearer.
 8. The multi-function ventilatedinsole of claim 7, wherein each of the recesses has a knob on a centralportion of its top, and a protrusion formed on the top of the insolebetween proximate to the recesses and the cavity.
 9. The multi-functionventilated insole of claim 8, further comprising a plantar arch portionon each of both sides of the insole, and a protuberance formed on thetop of the insole between the plantar arch portions.
 10. Themulti-function ventilated insole of claim 2, wherein the bottom layersection of the heel is formed as an outer of insole